WILLIAM SALIBA SHINES AS ARSENAL GO TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

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The Premier League season starting pistol has fired and for a temporary moment in time, Arsenal is top of the league, with 2 goals, and a lovely clean sheet.

We’ve also chalked off one of the toughest away days of the season. No one underestimated Crystal Palace before the game, so no one should after. They are a very aggressive side of extremely powerful and fast players. Going to the noisiest away ground on a Friday night is a very tough start by any standards.

We didn’t make a meal of it this time.

Arsenal were far better equipped and balanced through a blend of upgrades and internal solutions.

The superstar internal solution was William Saliba. A man that cost Arsenal £25m as a teenager 2 years ago made his Premier League debut and he was outstanding. You are not supposed to come into a Premier League defence at 21 years old and play the way he played. Outside his outrageous technical ability, it was the calmness of thought and stunning composure that stood out. He was so good, VVD followed him on Instagram after the match.

Last season, if we lacked Ben White or Gabriel in the middle, there was trouble. Against Crystal Palace, for a debut, what Saliba did was truly outstanding.  People do have to temper the excitement a little bit. He’s a young player, young players have ups and downs, so I hope people will be with him when the inevitable errors land. They certainly haven’t been for Sambi, ESR and Martinelli of late and it’s a bit painful to stomach. If you are a Saliba Ultra, you should tune into our Youtube to see Johnny Cochrane smugging it up, a sight to behold.

The big tactical weakness for Arsenal was at fullback. Ben White is not a right back, but we know he can play there. For me, there aren’t many tougher wingers to go up against in the league than Zaha. As expected, minute one, it was all about putting the Ivorian in one vs one situations… but Benny Blanco stood up to the challenge most of the game. No one won more duels on the pitch than him. He played the dark arts at times. But overall, Ben White had the player under control. There was only one moment when he put Eze in… but there was a save, so no harm done. It was interesting to hear Arteta say that Ben White loves playing right back after the game. I guess if you have the ability to carry the ball, you don’t get to do that much as a centre back, in our system, you can invert and join the attack more often. Tomiyasu has an U21 game today to get some match fitness… at least it’s not vital he’s back like it was last season.

It should not go unnoted that Zinchenko also had a very, very good game. There were some misplaced passes that were unusual, but that was rustiness. I guess simply put, he does things with the ball that Kieran Tierney can’t. His passing is extremely crisp and he gives us more options going forward. He had a very assured debut. It’s just so good to see players like that lining up for Arsenal. He’s in his prime. What a talent.

Before I get onto the defence as a whole, let’s not leave without chatting Aaron Ramsdale. He’s been a bit inconsistent this year. He brings problems on himself by trying a little too hard with his passing, when he fucks up, it flusters his game. He did it again yesterday, he was a little ambitious with an early pass that led to a Palace chance. But after that, he leaned in with two outrageous saves. The first was a brilliant one-handed parry when Edouard had a free header. The second was a one vs one from Eze that he did brilliantly with.  Those were BIG saves. The sort we expect of the best keeper in England. The sort we’ll need more of this season. I also loved his confidence dealing with crosses. Big, brave, and bold… like his dad’s hat attire.

The first 30 minutes were exceptional from Arsenal. The beautiful football people said Arteta didn’t want to play was fully on show. The only way I can describe the play is buttery. We moved the ball between the lines with outrageously crisp precision and confidence. Crystal Palace couldn’t press us because there was always an outlet and every player was brave. Honestly, at times, I couldn’t believe I was watching Arsenal play that way, it was really special. The thing that really excited me is that late in the game, under intense pressure as legs faded, we still stuck to our principles playing out the back. There was a lovely bit of play between Ramsdale, Partey and Saliba. Last season, we might have hoofed it. That shows maturity.

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka really were a couple of rocks in the midfield. I thought the Ghanaian was close to being man of the match. He’s on top of his game, his one-touch passing is unplayable, and the sharpness of mind to control the waves of attack kept us very secure. Granit Xhaka was also really solid, some were in my feed calling him terrible… people, that is a really dated view in 2022. He had an 85% pass completion rate, he made the most passes in the attacking third, he won all three of his aerial duels, made 5 ball recoveries, and he was the most fouled Arsenal player. He was booked for diving in a passage of play where the ref played advantage for Arsenal because of a dive. Apparently, Xhaka is a booking, Eze’s two dives were not. There’s a Xhaka tax in the Premier League. Didn’t stop him showing up, putting his body on the line, and keeping things ticking over.

Gabriel Jesus didn’t score, but my word is he has the things we’ve been missing. He is a bag of chaos. He can go deep, out wide, play through the middle, lurk on the edge of the box… he is our Luis Suarez. A total nightmare of a player. There are two things I love about him, firstly, he can create something out of nothing. There was a moment in the first half when he went on a mazy run which led to Martinelli blasting his shot wide. Lacazette couldn’t do that. The second thing I love is his ability to occupy defenders. He chased down a ball in the second half between two Palace defenders, won it through sheer force of personality, and put Odegaard into contention. He is small but mighty. And he never stops working.

Martinelli was a difference maker in the first half, I still want more from him, he needs to impose himself a little more, I want to see some of that Bang-Bang we love. Saka was also a little quiet, but he was a difference maker forcing an own goal. Also worth noting that Eddie came on and carried on doing Eddie things. He was the pre-assist for Saka when he came on. The kid has great link play, need to see him getting starts this season.

There are some things we could be doing better. I think we still need to be more ruthless, we sat back a little bit after we scored, we know that doesn’t come from the manager, that’s a fallback behaviour the squad had last season when they’d go a goal up. We also need to kill teams earlier. All our players need to do better in front of goal, particularly Odegaard who squandered two really good opportunities in a bit of a disappointing game by his standards.

Still, take into account it takes 6-8 games to get truly match fit, so there’s a lot to come from this side, and there are still new relationships being worked out on the pitch.

We don’t yet have the fear factor teams like Liverpool and City have. But we are getting close. Arsenal are a nightmare to play against. We are getting close to being relentless. It’s hard to get chances against us. It’s hard to press us. We’re unreal off the ball. Now we have difference makers all across the park.

Arsenal still need to do a deal for Youri Tielemans and we need a better option to rotate Saka with. Nico is not the answer and Sambi is too early in his #8 journey to be our rotation option with Granit Xhaka.

Back to the result: A little context.

That’ll be the hardest game we play until at least the United game in September. Big teams are going to go there this season and get battered. We went there, controlled the game for large parts, were more clinical in front of goal, kept a clean sheet, and debuted 3 players without missing a beat. We did that missing KT, Tomi, and ESR from the starting 11.

The result was even better when you see that Liverpool just dropped two points away from home against Fulham.

Next up, Leicester. Maddison in talks with Newcastle, Youri T pining for Arsenal, Fofana protecting his limbs for the Chelsea move… they are a MESS. Which makes them dangerous. We need a BIG performance for our first home game.

FINAL NOTE: The aways support was electric. We aren’t a banter club in 2022 and our fans home and away are amongst the best in the league. I LOVE BEING A GOONER RIGHT NOW.

Check out our On The Whistle Podcast. We have a NEW brand design via the excellent Dear Future agency.

We needed to professionalize the brand identity and do something that’d make us stand out from the sea of red in the app store. We’ve gone with black and gold this season, matching to the fastest-selling away kit of all time. We’ll rotate between THE AOP and The Arsenal Opinion.

As part of the refresh, I’ve changed the Le Grove logo, so it all feels cohesive with the podcast.

The logo is great because it’s an idea. Le Grove has DNA in fan opinion, The AOP has followed suit with the LIVE chat, so it all connects well together. Hope you like it.

The podcast is Johnny, Pedro and Matt. We’ll have a great season together. So hopefully you can join the Patreon for the Before the Whistle’s and join us for the Premier League LIVE On The Whistle podcasts we do right after the game.

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253 Comments
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Dissenter

This doesn’t come as surprising
Brighton are well managed and will give any team in the league a game anywhere.

The United manager coming to terms with the competitive nature of the league.

Dissenter

Ronaldo had 4 days of preseason but there you go….ready for the fireman’s job

Foxy

Tielmans apparently running the show for Leicester according to BBC sports.

TT

Lol wtf is happening at old toilet

Dissenter

I expect that United will get something from the game
The advantage of having FIVE subs including Ronaldo will stanch the bleeeding.

Nigel Tufnel

I put money on Brighton… Fingers crossed..

My only non Arsenal wager of the week. I expect very poor seasons from both United and Chelsea, overall.

DivineSherlock

Brighton clearly not missing World Class Bissouma or World Class Cucurella . Or did that argument only worked when we signed Ben White ?

Samesong

Martinez has looked poor. A few here were championing him to come to Arsenal because he has that long pass. Andersen looks much better than him.

Berg10kamp

United are absolute shite, Brighton bossing them and I’m loving every minute of their misery.

LoveSausage

Potter is impressive. Losing Bissouma and Cucurella and not skipping a beat is something else.

Samesong

Mcfred are the worst centre midfield pairing in the league.

Nigel Tufnel

“Brighton clearly not missing World Class Bissouma or World Class Cucurella . Or did that argument only worked when we signed Ben White ?”

You know I love this!

Was nice that Ben White got loads of credit for his performance this week… Even from Grovers.

Things really looking up for Arsenal.

Raulishuss

Brighton clearly not missing World Class Bissouma or World Class Cucurella . Or did that argument only worked when we signed Ben White ?

DISSENTER COME OUT

Markymark

Martinez booked as well. It’d be just too funny if he gets done for a second yellow

Gommit

Martinez will not work as a midget CD in this league.. I prefer our small CF decision.. Ten Hag will eventually move him into the lb position. Love watching the scums loose so comfortably.. Might switch to the Leicester game soon to scout YT

Zacharse

i’m watching the youtube spuds southhampton highlights… southhampton looks absolutely awful. the first half is particularly strange. i think that scoreline flatters them and there aren’t going to be that many teams they can play that way against. i mean the own goal…sheesh looks worse than preseason. maybe cuz they scored that first goal they laid back but my god southamptons defense looked like they got stoned after that first ward prowse stunner. i am looking forward to the NLD after the first week hell yes

Topside Northbank

Potter and Brighton simply punching way above their weight.

Discover players cheap fees, sell above market value, reinvest go again,

2-0 not quite game over but McTominay once again if his name was Xhaka he gets a red no var review, no initial yellow a red and it should of been.

2-0 down a man down Brighton will be angry after if they let this slip.

Zacharse

potter was appointed manager bha in may of ’19 so 6 months after arteta right? you cant Argue hes done a phenomenal job. hasnt finished above us… but w comparable budgets theres no way he wouldnt.
also that bissouma yellow? maybe we dodged a bullet there too time will tell

Samesong

Martinez strikes again loool

Dissenter

I always said Brighton wouldn’t miss Bissouma because they had bought Enoch Mwepu the season before. That’s a simple fact. I’ve been bigging up Enoch Mwepu for months.
Brighton didn’t buy a replacement for Ben White last season because he was the most junior of their central defender quartet at the time. That’s also fact. They didn’t miss him and finished higher.
I’ve never commented about Brighton missing Cucurella, unless someone has been smoking something
They are a well managed team who know how to buy low and sell high.

Samesong

How is that not a penalty?

Chris

Well there’s nothing to fear from this Man Utd team. Absolute shite.

Same drab, uninspiring midfield as last season.

Same blunt attack.

Their defence looks even worse.

Same limited footballing keeper even if he is a grey shot stopper, reactionary keeper.

Ten Hag mighty wonder what he has let himself in for.

Let’s hope they are just as crap when we go there shortly.

Dissenter

..and Brighton don’t have the unique privilege of writing off expensive contracts and spending 350 million to rebuild a team.
Get your arrows properly fletched before you start shooting them.

Zacharse

wtf is man utd doing w 55m 5’9 cb. ffs

Zacharse

hey diss, that wasnt aimed at you, i was just looking into it and writing up my thoughts. havent actually read the discussion yet

Zacharse

i just think it will be interesting to see what happens w potter. would love to see him reach the heights. proper PL talent. makes it a better league

Chris

Good save from Sanchez, but overall a SHOCKING miss from Rashford. What a fall from grace for that lad.

Dissenter

Zach
Not directing them at you
Someone did call me out directly, if you look at the above comments

Claver

So just to be clear, Man United have escaped a red card, an incorrect offside and a penalty.

And are still losing 2-0 😂😂😂😂

*random tweet*

Chris

Perhaps in maybe 5 years or so Brighton may fee they don’t have to sell their top stars each summer and they can push on for challenging the top 6/7 on a regular basis. They need to keep Potter more than their star players right now.

Samesong

My boy Toney scored for Brentford.

Dissenter

Vierra;s small stature shield the be a problem in the league
If the likes of Troussard can survive and thrive, he shouldn’t struggle because he’s small.

Zacharse

i will look later disss

holy shit man utd look totally beyond the reach of whatever pressing ten haag has them doing. it is going to be long season with short defenders my god

Madhu

Mctominay is probably the dirtiest player never to get a red card in PL. Harry McGuire probably the next

izzo

I said Martinez would fail and Ten Haag was always going to play him at CB. These Dutch managers think they’re still at Eredivisie. Trying too hard to sign their former players. Pretty sure he’s actually a DM and might’ve looked good in that pub league but will be automatically found out in the PL. The pace and pressing is chalk and cheese when you compare. Bullet dodged.

andy1886

Add to ManU’s non-red card, penalty escape, with a clear handball not given for their goal.

Samesong

Lamptey and Mewpu two capable players like the look of both.

Dissenter

izzo
Good players from the Eredivisie or elsewhere will adapt to the premier league….eventually

That’s why we have to be careful with the United-are-shit comments.

They’ve had a poor preseason with the Ronaldo nonsense, they will get better over the course of the season.

Topside Northbank

Really poor calls by the ref/var.

As above McTominay should of had at least three red’s in his career already straight one’s as well.

Martinez you can see unless he has a tall pacy CB alongside him in a two he’s going to find the PL a tough challenge.

DivineSherlock

Brighton not missing Bissouma cause they have Enock Mwepu is funny because even Mwepu didnt start for Brighton , lol .

izzo

Dissenter you’re too chummy with Utd. They will finish around the same position as as last season. Their defense is dogshite and their forwards are flaky and Ronaldo will tank them and keep throwing tantrums until they let him leave. Nothing currently shows they will get better throughout the season. Ten Haag had his Ajax side tailored towards everything he wanted and he’s not getting that at Utd no matter how much the media try to hype him up he’s no Fergie. Just another Van Gaal that will be sent packing before he knows it.

Dissenter

Divine
…because Bissouma used to start every game for Brighton?
I’ll have a laugh at you expense
Mwepu was injured for most of last season. They are mangling his fitness. He’s a spectacular player who decimated us at the Emirates last season.

Dissenter

Tipping Westham to shock city later on.

That’s my kiss of death to Westham.

Zacharse

man utd. squad full of xhakas – fred, mctominay, bruno- their central midfield will struggle even starting each game with -3 red cards. the attack will always be capable of getting a result. the defense is terrible but the fullbacks are decent. give ten hag 2 more years and i’d imagine theyd be better. loooks like recruitment has been an issue if all they have added is two small defenders from ajax

Zacharse

lisandro is gonna struggle bigtime, not every game but he’ll cost them points

Habesha Gooner

United looked as shocking as they have been last season. We don’t have to worry about them at all unless they have 6 or 7 new players.

This is a decent weekend for us so far.

Zacharse

potter to utd? then i’d be worried

Habesha Gooner

Lisandro wasn’t impressive today too. He looked rusty and he looked confused as the rest of the United squad. He was never worth that money either. I am so glad we made the sensible decision of 30 mil Zinchenko over 55 mil Martinez. There isn’t a lot of value when you pay more than 40 mil most times.

Topside Northbank

Dissenter

Agree on Mwepu he looks a real under the radar player he was excellent against us.

Disagree on City simply can’t see that WH named back four today holding them out, Johnson at CB sure he’s a FB by trade? Never know opening day but WH missing a few at the back.

China1

2 points ahead of liverpool
3 ahead of Utd
Let’s hope city also drop points

Meanwhile next weekend Chelsea play spurs, so if we beat Leicester we’re ahead of one or both of them on points

Liverpool also play palace next. They’ll probably win but no guarantees. If they don’t win it might knock them a little bit

Habesha Gooner

Zacharse The coach isn’t the problem for United for the first time in a while. Ten Hag is fantastic. His Ajax teams were a joy to watch. And if Arteta was sacked last year, I would have wanted him over any other coach not named Guardiola or Klopp. But their players are awful. It looks like our squad before Arteta spent massive amount of money on it. It isn’t fit for purpose. And United don’t just over pay their players, they get fucked by them. Sancho is in 300k a week and he is a player who is a level… Read more »

Dissenter

I’ll love to see Saliba go up against Nunez and then Haaland.
That would be a good measure of how good he is.